News Releases for April 2005
April 6, 2005
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Hoeven Signs Bill To Assist Mandan Redevelopment Efforts
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today, along with Mandan’s legislators and mayor, held a press conference and ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 1279 at the Mandan Fire Station.
The bill, passed by the North Dakota Legislature, is aimed at assisting communities or private landowners that have been adversely impacted by a release of an environmental contaminant. The law enables the North Dakota Department of Health to establish institutional controls enabling innocent landowners of property to fully utilize their property and structures.
Reps. Todd Porter and RaeAnn Kelsch, together with Sen. Dwight Cook, introduced HB 1279 to assist Mandan in its efforts to spur economic development in the downtown area that is contaminated with diesel fuel. Remediation efforts are currently beginning in downtown Mandan to clean up the fuel spill.
“Assisting communities with their economic development efforts is one of the most important duties of the state,” Hoeven said. “And, while the new law will immediately help Mandan, there are other communities across the state that will benefit from this piece of legislation.”
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who litigated a cleanup settlement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, said, “The settlement was a significant first step for North Dakota. This legislation is the next big step, and will pave the way for development and economic stability in Mandan and many other communities across the state.”
“As we look towards the future of our community and state, it is imperative that we do all we can to reinforce to lenders and property owners that the value and use of a property is assured,” said Porter. “We are aware of cases in which property owners were ready to sell but buyers could not get financing because of the liability issue related to the fuel spill.”
The law removes the risk of the lender or new property owners being held liable for the clean up of a property as long as the lender or property owner has no prior involvement with or responsibility for the original contamination or the environmental release. It also enables the Health Department to work with property owners to create controls to allow for the safe use of property.
“This is a great day for Mandan,” said Mayor Ken LaMont. “We are turning a corner in our community and some great things are happening. I believe this law will spur on our redevelopment efforts and generate economic activity that is greatly needed in our downtown corridor.”
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